Paging method and pager

Abstract

A paging system comprises a base station and a number of pagers. The base station transmits calling-number data and message data in the form of radio signals. The message data contains selection-code data. Each pager indicates that the pager is being called, in accordance with the message data, when the calling-number data is identical to the calling-number data already stored in the pager. The pager comprises a calling-number data momory, a selection-code memory, a comparator, and an alarm device. When the calling-number data transmitted from the base station is identical to the calling-number data stored in the calling-number data memory, the comparator compares the selection-code contained in the message data, with the selection-code stored in the selection-code memory. When the comparator determines that the selection-code transmitted from the base station is identical to the selection-code stored in the selection-code memory, the alarm device is activated to indicate that the pager is being called. In this paging system, any pager can be called in accordance with the calling-number data and also the selection-code contained in the message data, either data having been transmitted from the base station.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a paging system capable of communication between a caller and more than 2 n  pagers, said system including a base station for sequentially transmitting first and second radio signals to said pagers, said first radio signal including a first address word which includes only n bits for identifying said more than 2 n  pagers, and wherein a leading portion of said first address word includes first identification indicia for indicating that said first radio signal is an address word which includes called-pager number data, said second radio signal including a message word, and wherein a leading portion of said second radio signal includes second identification indicia for indicating that said second radio signal is a message word signal which includes message data, wherein each of said pagers comprise: means for receiving said first and second radio signals transmitted by said base station;   a called-pager number data storage means for storing called-pager number data assigned to said pager;   selection data storage means for storing selection data assigned to said pager;   first detecting means for detecting a coincidence between said called-pager number data included in said received first address word and said called-pager number data stored in said called-pager number data storage means;   first message data storage means, which upon detection of a coincidence by said first detecting means, stores said message data included in said message word;   second detecting means for detecting whether said stored data in said first message data storage means includes predetermined function data;   third detecting means coupled to said second detecting means which upon detection of said predetermined function data by said second detecting means then determines whether said message data stored in said first message data storage means includes data identical to said selection data stored in said selection data storage means; and   display means for displaying said message data stored in said message data storing means;   when said second detecting means does not detect said predetermined function data; and   when said third detecting means detects that data identical to said selection data is present in said first message stored in said message data storage means.   
     
     
       2. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein the called-number data and the message data, both transmitted from said base station, comprise a 32-bit address word and a 32-bit message word, respectively, the first bit of each word is a flag bit representing whether the word is an address word or a message word. 
     
     
       3. In a paging system according to claim 2, wherein said address word includes bits forming a called-code and function bits forming a code identifying said caller. 
     
     
       4. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein said called-number data and the message data, both transmitted from said base station, comprise a 32-bit address word and a 32-bit message word, respectively, and said base station transmits, a plurality of message words after one address word, and wherein said selection data is contained in the first message word. 
     
     
       5. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein said called-number data storing means comprises a ROM, and said selection data storing means comprises a RAM. 
     
     
       6. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein said called-number data storing means and said selection data storing means comprise a ROM. 
     
     
       7. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein said pager further comprises a switch pad for inputting said selection data into said selection data storing means. 
     
     
       8. In a paging system according to claim 1, wherein said pager further comprises timer means for measuring current time and time data storing means for storing the time data output by the timer means which represents the time when said pager receives message data. 
     
     
       9. A pager for sequentially receiving first and second radio signals when a caller calls said pager, said first radio signal including a first address word having a predetermined number of bits and wherein a leading portion of said first address word includes first identification indicia for indicating that said first radio signal is an address word signal which includes called-pager number data, said second radio signal including a message work which includes message data, and wherein a leading portion of said second radio signal includes second identification indicia for indicating that said second radio signal is a message word signal which includes said message data, said pager comprising: a called-pager number data storage means for storing called-pager number data assigned to said pager;   selection data storage means for storing selection data assigned to said pager;   first detecting means for detecting a coincidence between said called-pager number data included in said received first address word and said called-pager number data stored in said called-pager number data storage means;   first message data storage means, which upon detection of a coincidence by said first detecting means, stores said message data included in said message word in said second ratio signal;   second detecting means for detecting whether said stored data in said first message data storage means includes predetermined function data;   third detecting means coupled to said second detecting means, which upon detection of said predetermined function data by said second detecting means, then determines whether said message data stored in said first message data storage means includes data identical to said selection data stored in said selection data storage means; and   display means for displaying said message data stored in said first message data storage means:   when said second detecting means does not detect said predetermined function data; and   when said third detecting means detects that data identical to said selection data is present in said message stored in said first message data storage means.   
     
     
       10. A pager according to claim 9, wherein said address word signal and said message word signal respectively include 32 bits. 
     
     
       11. A pager according to claim 9, wherein said address word signal includes bits representing said called-pager number data and bits for identifying said caller. 
     
     
       12. A pager according to claim 9, wherein said first message data storage means includes means or storing a plurality of message data included in a plurality of said message words received subsequent to said address word signal, and wherein one of said plurality of message words received after said address word, includes said predetermined function data and data identical to said selection data. 
     
     
       13. A pager according to claim 9, wherein said called-pager number data storage means includes a ROM (read only memory) and said selection data storage means includes a RAM (random access memory). 
     
     
       14. A pager according to claim 9, further comprising switching means, external of said pager, for entering said selection data into said selection data storage means. 
     
     
       15. A pager according to claim 9, further comprising second message data storage means for storing said message data transferred from said first message data storage means and transfer means for transferring said message data stored in said first message data storage means to said second message data storage means. 
     
     
       16. A pager according to claim 9, wherein said selection data storage means stores a plurality of selection data items, and wherein said third detecting means detects whether said message data stored in said first message data storage means includes a data item identical to one of said plurality of selection data items stored in said selection data storage means. 
     
     
       17. A pager according to claim 9, further comprising sound-generating means for generating a sound when said display means displays a message. 
     
     
       18. A pager according to claim 9, further comprising: timer means for indicating the current time; and   time data storing means for storing data relating to the time at which said address word and said message word are received.